Expanding Your Interests Outside of Research: Inexpensive Activities in Rochester + Outreach Opportunities

Although I am originally from the Rochester area, it wasn’t until I became a graduate student that I began to explore more of what Rochester has to offer. As graduate students, we spend so much of our time indoors, either in the lab, library, or at our desk at home. It’s easy to remain stuck in our own academic worlds, but we are more than just our research. As a 3^rd year Ph.D. student, I have found that seeking opportunities to connect with the community both within the University of Rochester and in the surrounding area has made my graduate career more fulfilling. Scheduling fun and relaxing events has been extremely helpful in keeping me motivated in the lab and has allowed me to maintain a work-life balance. Some of my favorite things to do are explore the easily accessible nature trails or try a new food spot. I love visiting the Public Market on Saturday mornings, going for a hike at Abraham Lincoln Park, and walking around the High Falls area after a coffee at Fuego Coffee Roasters. If you’re looking to explore the activities and culture of Rochester check out the resources included in this post!

While we get inundated with emails every day, take some time to look through the @Rochester emails or those forwarded from your department coordinator. They often include easy-to-miss opportunities that may be of interest. By reading these emails, I discovered an opportunity to volunteer with local 5^th and 6^th-grade students through the Rochester Youth Scientist Program. Through this experience, I guided these students in designing their own research projects and served as a mentor throughout their time in the program. It was extremely rewarding to see the students grow as scientists, and I was able to improve my ability to communicate complex topics in a simpler manner. Also, consider joining a student group which can open new avenues to engage with the community. As a part of SACNAS (Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science), I have built a stronger support network with other graduate students and also engaged with local high school students. We recently hosted a group of students to provide tours of lab spaces and share our research to spark interest and demystify STEM higher education. Check out the full list of student groups here.

Looking for fun activities to de-stress? The Campus Roc website is not only geared towards undergraduate students but has useful resources for graduate students as well. Check out this list of businesses and activities that offer student discounts. Try the famous Dinosaur Bar-B-Que with a 15% discount, go rock climbing at RocVentures, or catch a movie at the Little Theatre for only $7! When the weather is nice, I enjoy walking around the many parks in Rochester. Highland Park and Genesee Valley Park are right near campus and are great places to enjoy the outdoors and have a picnic. When the weather starts to get colder, visit the Lamberton Conservatory in Highland Park to view the beautiful botanicals. 

Rent bikes and ride along the Erie Canal path in Fairport or Pittsford and then enjoy some delicious ice cream at Pittsford Farms Dairy. Catch a sunset (or sunrise) at Ontario Beach Park, or stroll through the hiking trails at the nearby Durand Eastman Park. Rochester hosts many exciting festivals: the Lilac Festival, the Jazz Festival, and the Fringe Festival. These festivals include free live music, food trucks, art, and more. As a U of R student, you can also visit the Memorial Art Gallery for free and view the intriguing exhibits.

Another fun activity to engage in is joining a recreational sports team, either through U of R or elsewhere. Many graduate students get together and form teams to play softball, soccer, volleyball, kickball, and even cornhole. This is a great way to get to know other students and participate in sports in a relaxed environment. I currently play on a volleyball team at Hot Shots. I never participated in volleyball before, so this was exciting to learn a new activity while engaging in friendly competition. U of R also has a list of intramural sports open to graduate students.

Exploring all that Rochester has to offer will help in building your network and community as well as provide an outlet to de-stress. For even more things to do and places to eat, check out this list created by another community member local to Rochester. I often refer back to this document when I’m looking for something new to try!